In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming more than 34,000 lives each year. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute; with close to one million people attempting suicide annually. With your participation, you will not just be walking, and your donors will not just be writing a check - you will be helping to save lives.

This year, we are pleased that South Carolina offered five of over 250 community walks taking place across the nation, in hopes of creating awareness and more funds for aggressive mental health research and prevention services within our communities. Locations included Charleston, Columbia, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg.

11/17/2012 International Survivors of Suicide DayEvery year, survivors of suicide loss gather together in locations around the world to feel a sense of community, to promote healing, and to connect with others like them. Each location welcomes survivors of suicide loss, providing a safe and healing space where everyone can comfortably participate in a way that is meaningful to them. Join with others to listen to a diverse panel of survivors discuss their losses, how they coped, and much more. Come in person to experience the powerful sense of connection and community that is forged between survivors of suicide loss. You are not alone.

January 28 – 31 National AFSP Chapter Leadership Conference, Charleston, SC SC Chapter received Chapter of the Year Award – small market – and the Outstanding Chapter Support of Research Award.

February 9 - Presentation on AFSP Training Program, More Than Sad, at State Independent Living Advisory Committee by John Brown, Chapter Board President. Brown is Director of Forensics and Crisis Intervention at Columbia Area Mental Health.

June 2010 - AFSP Presentation by Ed Neeley and John Brown, at Virginia Wingard Methodist Church.

July 14 - Filming of Introduction by June Mackie for AFSP Training Program – MoreThan Sad - for South Carolina school guidance counselors

August 3, 2010– Helen Pridgen, MSW, LMSW, will present on teen suicide at the State Child Fatality Committee meeting. Pridgen, Chair of the SC Chapter Board, directs the State Independent Living Program for the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

August 13-14, 2010 – AFSP Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group Facilitator Training Program. Location: Activity Building of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, South Carolina 29072. Contact Eric Skidmore for more information at 803-206-8961 or ericskid@scleap.org.Scholarships are available for South Carolina participants.September – National Suicide Prevention Month – Presentation for soldiers and civilians at Ft. Jackson.

September – November Launching of AFSP Training Program, More Than Sad, in partnership with SC Department of Education for guidance and counseling professionals. Contact June Mackie for more information at jmackie@sc.rr.com.

October 22-23, 2010 - Dr. Meera Narasimhan- Professor and Chair, Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science - University of South Carolina School of Medicine and a board member of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be a guest speaker at the NAMISouth Carolina annual conference at The Embassy Suites Hotel, Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Narasimhan serves as the Director of the Division of Biological Research in the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She is also the Director for Research Initiatives for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

Out of the Darkness Community Walks – The OOD Community Walks will take place in more than 200 communities across the nation this fall. Proceeds will benefit AFSP’s vital research, education, survivor and awareness programs to both prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide. Walks in South Carolina are in the following locations:October 10 - Spartanburg 2nd Out of the Darkness Community Walk Registration 1:00 – 2:00 pm, walk 2:00 – 4:00 and includes Closing Ceremony. Location: Cleveland Park, Spartanburg. For more information contact Walk Chair, Sara Settlemeyer at 864-580-0321 and visit www.outofthedarkness.org

October 17 - Columbia 6thOut of the Darkness Community Walk Registration 1:00 - 2:00 pm, walk 2:00 – 4:00 pm and includes a Closing Ceremony in the pamphitheateratre. Location: Columbia Riverfront Park (corner of Huger and Laurel). For more information, contact Walk Chair, Teresa Arnold at 803-348-7518 and visit www.outofthedarkness.org

The State Director of the Department of Mental Health will open the Columbia Walk. John H. Magill is well recognized for his contributions to the healthcare field and has held a number of leadership positions in both professional and academic organizations. He is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at both the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, and at the University of South Carolina School Of Medicine, Columbia.

October 24 – Hilton Head 1st Out of the Darkness Community Walk Registration 1:00 – 2:00, walk 2:00 – 4:00 and includes Closing Ceremony. Location: USCB New River Campus, Bluffton. For more information, contact Walk Chair, Pat John at 843-540-1841 and visit www.outofthedarkness.org

November 20 - Survivors of Suicide Day Conference - Locations will be announced in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Hilton Head. For more information, go to www.afsp.org or contact Helen Pridgen at hrpridgen@sc.rr.com. The SC Chapter Board includes two participants from the National Panels of the 2006 and 2007 conferences. Copies of the yearly broadcast are available through the AFSP web site.

September 9 (12:00 pm) Appreciation Luncheon immediately following the Press Event to include media staff, VA representatives, AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk sponsors, team captains, committee, volunteers, plus representatives of AFSP–SC Chapter, NAMI Mid-Carolina, MHA of SC, South Carolina Suicide Prevention Coalition, and other invitees.

September 9(7:30 – 8:30 pm )Shatter the Silence Panel featuring Barbara Sheridan, Suicide Prevention Coordinator of the USC Counseling and Development Center, John Brown of Columbia Area Mental Health and the AFSP – SC Chapter, and survivors of loss by suicide. Location: Russell House on USC Campus

September 11 (9:00 am) AFSP SC Chapter Charity Golf Tournament to benefit suicide research, education and survivor support. Reservations must be made by September 9. For more information, contact Ed Neeley at 803-760-2282. Location: Charwood Country Club

September 23 (12:00 – 1:00 pm) Suicide Prevention Panel on “Your Day” ETV Radio featuring four members of the AFSP – SC Chapter Board: John Brown of Columbia Area Mental Health, Dr. Sondra Keller of MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Dr. Meera Narasimhan of USC School of Medicine, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Helen Pridgen, LMSW, and Survivor.

October 1 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm) “Saving Lives” Suicide Prevention Fundraiser at the Mills/Jarrett Complex at DHEC, Bull/Calhoun Streets. Proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For more information, contact Mary Kelly at 545-4102.

October 11 – Columbia 5th Out of the Darkness Community Walk (3-mile walk): The OOD Community Walks are taking place in more than 200 communities across the country this fall. Proceeds will benefit AFSP’s vital research, education, survivor and awareness programs – both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide. Check-in 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Walk 2:00 – 4:00 pm with Closing Ceremony Location: Columbia Riverfront Park (corner of Huger and Laurel) For more information, contact Columbia Walk Chair, Teresa Arnold at 803-348-7518 and visit www.outofthedarkness.org

November 21 – Survivors of Suicide Conference Location: AFSP–SC Chapter Office, 1532-A Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. Conference announcements are forthcoming for Greenville and Charleston. For more information, go to www.afsp.org or call the AFSP–SC Chapter office at 803-445-1263. The SC Chapter Board includes two survivors that have participated on the AFSP National Panel for the Survivors of Suicide Conference in 2006 and 2007. Copies of the broadcast are available through the AFSP web site.